Conway Mill Trust

Born 521 A.D., Colmcille was a royal prince, great-great grandson of King Niall. He studied for the priesthood at St. Finian’s monastery. As the story goes, he borrowed a Psalter (a version of the Psalms used in religious services) from Finian and made a copy. When he returned the original, Finian demanded the copy also and Colmcille refused. The High King ruled against Comcille stating, “To every cow her calf; to every book its copy.” This was the earliest recorded case of copyright. Colmcille was a sore loser and summoned his army to fight the High King. He won the battle but was stricken with remorse at the loss of life as a result of his anger. He vowed to leave Ireland and convert as many pagans as he had killed Christians. He founded many monasteries in Scotland and England.